Hospital bed



Dec- 3, 1963 B. R. F. MacDoNALD 3,112,500

HOSPITAL BED Filed May 24, 1961 s sheets-sheet 1 M, i 3g i4 79 1/24 54 77 Ms? 0- an I-eaa-l. n -IE e Y. l Ig a6. o, )I a I T T- .I g e )14 o i Q/:jf I: El I n d s E 90 i G. 1 g 9/ i 1 i r wli 66* 3/ 4/ fr 05,2 i' g E I i' 33 I 1 as 2a 27 g f s 2 I [i tif i 3c /3 22 73 7g4 /4 /7 /9 f3 1 4 76 14 23 39 a7 /6 Dec. 3, 1963 B. R F, MaoDONALD 3,112,500

HOSPITAL BED Filed May 24, 1961 s sheets-sheet 2' T E. 4. 24E 719 if( ATTORNEY! Dec. 3, 1963 B- R F MacDONALD 3,112,500

HOSPITAL BED Filed May 24, 1961 5 Sl'ieecs-SheeiI 3 United States Patent O s claims. (ci. s-ts) This invention relates to hospital beds of the type that Iare readily convertible to chairs, and is particularly directed to a hospital bed of th-is class having a spring frame `adapted for :translation longitudinally land transversely of the bedstead and which is readily convertible to a chair conliguration. i

In order for a hospital bed to benefit a patient and facilitate eilicient operation of a hospital rest home or the like to the maximum extents possible, it is necessary that the bed be capable of a great many functions in :addition to -those generally provided for in hospital beds of conventional design. Benets are to be gained, for example, where the hospital bed -is capable of being converted to a chair `while retaining all of its normal functions. Further advantages accrue Where the chair configuration may be positioned on either side of the bed at a number of locations longitudinally thereof as well as at the end of the bed. Additional advantageous functions, such as the ready interchange of a patient between the bed and a guerny, are served where the spring frame of the bed is also rigidly translatable transversely of the bedstead.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a highly versatile hospital bed wherein the spring frame is longitudinally and transversely translatable and rotatable relative to the bedstead While being convertible to a chair coniiguration.

Another object of the invention is the provision 'of a hospital bed of the class `described Iwhich may be readily converted to a chair facing away from either side of the bed at any longitudinal position thereof.

It is Ia further object of the invention to provide a hospital bed of the class described which may be converted to a chair facing away from the foot of the bed.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the draw- 4ings accompanying and forming part of the specification. IIt is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted Within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE l yis a plan view of the hospital bed of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the hospital bed showing elevated positions of the head and leg portions of the spring frame in full line and horizontal positions thereof in phantom line.

IFIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational detail view of the central portion of the spring and bed frames illustrating particularly the means for effecting rotational and longitudinal movements of the spring frame relative to the bed frame.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse fragmentary cross sectional view taken at line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating in section the struct-ure for rotating the spring frame and sliding same longitudinally along the bed frame.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line `5 5 of FGURE 4 illustrating particularly the structure for lateral movement of the spring frame relative to the bed frame.

lFIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 6 6 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating particularly the ICC spring frame with foot portion elevated as moved longitudinally of the bed frame to a position suitable for rotating.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged detail view of the foot portion of the bed frame with the spring frame positioned thereat and converted to a chair configuration facing away from the foot.

Referring now 4t0 the drawings, FIGURES l and 2 in particular, there is shown a hospital bed .11 in accordance with the present invention which includes a bed frame l2 with adjustable Gatch spring frame -13 mounted thereon. The bed frame includes upright head and foot portions vl, 16 secured together in the usual manner by parallel longitudinally extending side rails 17, 18 of angle iron or the like. The foot portion i6 is shortened such that its upper edge is flush with the tops of the side rails. The Gatoh spring frame is formed of a plurality of foldable sections 19, 21, 22. arranged in end to end relation longitudinally of the bed frame and overlying same. More specifically, the head section 119 and central section 2l are hingedly connected at the opposite ends of a pair of parallel longitudinal support members 23, 24 of `angle iron or the like interconnected by a transverse support channel member 26 mounted upon the bed frame in a manner subsequently described. The end section 22 is hingedly connected to the end of central section 21.

The Gatch spring frame has an associated adjusting mechanism 27 of generally conventional design for facilitating the selective rotation of the various sections of the spring frame to a variety of desirable bed coniigurations. More specifically, head section and middle section adjusting lever arms 28, 29 are respectively pivotally connected to the underside of the bed frame at pivot points indicated at 3d and 32. These lever arms are in turn coupled to the ends of telescoping tube assemblies 33, 34 that are secured to the bed frame and extend longitudinally thereof to the foot portion "16. The tube assemblies are adjustable in length in response to rotation of hand cranks 36, 37 coupled to their foot ends to thereby effect rotation of the lever arms 28, 29 about their pivot points 3l, 3,2. The lever arms carry rollers 38, 39 at their free ends which bear against the head and middle sections `19, Z1 of the spring frame and raise and lower them as the arms rotate. It will thus be appreciated that the hospital bed including the spring frame and adjusting mechanism as described to this point is substantially conventional.

Considering now the salient departures from conventional design included in the hospital -bed of the present invention which facilitate the Iadvantageous func-tions mentioned herein-before, it will Ibe noted that the transverse support member 26 of the spring frame is mounted for rotation upon, and translation vlaterally of a carriage assembly 41 which is translatable longitudinally along the bed frame. By virtue Iof Ithe combined movements thus facilitated between `the carri-age and bed frame and between the spring `frame and carriage, the spring frame may be made to assume a chair configuration facing away from either side of the Ibed `frame and at substantial-ly any longitudinal position therealong. The spring frame may also be made to assume a chair configuration facing away from the foot portion of the bed frame. In addition, the spring frame may be translated laterally of lthe bed frame to a substantially cantilevered position with respect thereto whereby the bed clothes may be more readily changed, a patient more easily interchanged between the bed and 'a guerny, or the like.

The preferred structure of the novel carriage assembly 41 `for mounting the spring frame in the foregoing manner includes a transverse channel 42. to the ends of which are secured angles 43 with one of their respective sides horizontally flush with the web of the channel and 'the other sides depending therefrom along the end edges of the channel legs. The horizontal sides of angles 4?;` respectively overlie the side rails 17, 18 `of the bed frame and the vertical s-ides of the angles are disposed inwardly adjacent same. Pluralities of rollers 46 depend Vfrom the horizontal sides `of the angles to engage the upper surfaces of the rails. In addition, a pair of angles 47 are respectively secured to the vertical sides of angles 43 with one of their respective sides projecting laterally outward into engagement with the undersides of the rails. The angles 43 thus prevent lateral displacement of the rollers 46 from -the rails While the angles 47 prevent Vertical displacement therefrom as the rollers facilitate displacement of the channel 42 longitudinally therealong Centrally of the carriage assembly channel 42 there is secured a roller bearing 49 which facilitates rotatable mounting of the spring frame upon the assembly. The bearing includes lower land upper circular plates 51, 52 having facing raceways 53, 54 Within which a plurality of balls 56 are enclosed to render the plates rotatable with respect to each other. The lower plate 51 is rigidly attached to the web of carriage channel 42 at its cen-ter as by means of angles 57, 58 welded to (the channel legs and secured to the plate by threaded fasteners. A diametrically extending guide channel 59 is secured lto the upper plate 51, this guide channel having exterior dimensions substantially eqoal to the inside dimensions of the transverse support channel 26 of the spring fra-me. The support channel 26 fits over the guide channel 59 and is slidable therealong to thus render the spring frame transversely movable as well as rotatable with respect to the carriage. In order that the transverse movement be readily -accomplishable by hand, -the support channel is provided with a pair of slots 61, 62 extending longitudinally along its parallel legs. A pair of elongated side plates 63, 64 having slots 66, 67 in registry with the slots 61, 62 are attached yto the exterior sides of the support channel legs to provide added thickness. In addition, a pair of angle members 68, 69 are secured to the upper bearing plate 52 in backing relation to the side plates 63, 64. Pairs of rollers 71, 72 -are disposed within the thickened slots 61, 66 `and 62, 67 so as to be rollaible therein, such rollers being journalled between Athe legs of the guide channel 59 and the backing angles 68, 69. It will thus be appreciated that Ithe spring frame is readily slidable upon the rollers within the lim-its of the slots.

When the spring trarne is to be employed in the manner of an ordinary hospital bed, rotation `of the frame must of course be prevented as must transverse movement of the frame and longitudinal movement beyond the low cut foot portion of the bed frame. To these ends, a pair of stop channels 73, 74 are secured in inverted position to the side rails 17, 18 adjacent the foot portion of the bed. S-uch stop channels are closed at their foot ends by stop plates 76, 77 which are pivotally secured to the ends of the rails so as to be selectively rotatable to positions clear of the stop channels. A pair of casters 80 depend from the sides of the foot section 22 of the spring frame adjacent its end. The casters engage the stop channels 73', 74 between their legs to thus prevent rotation 'and .transverse movement of the spring `trarne. The casters also engage the stop plates 76, 77 when they are in their channel closing positions yto thus prevent ongitudinal movement of the spring frame ltowards the oot.

In order that the spring frame is readily adaptable to conversion to a chair conigunation a pair of slotted bars 78, 79 are pivotally secu-red to the: outer sides of the longitudinal support members 23, 24. The slot 81 of each bar extends longitudinally thereof and includes transverse notches 82 at spaced intervals therealong. The notched slots are adapted to engage pins 83 projecting transversely from the sides oi the head POTOU f i the spring `frame when such head portion is in inclined position as depicted in FIGURE 2. Varied degrees of inclination are facilitated by the notches being at spaced intervals along the slots.

Further to the ends of facilitating conversion of the spring frame to a chair configuration, a cylindrical bracket 84 is secured to each of the slotted bars 78, 79, such brackets being adapted to receive the ends of arm delinin-g rods 86. More specifically, a second pair of cylindrical brackets S7 are secured to the opposite sides of the central portion of the spring frame and adapted to receive the opposite ends of ethe arm deiining rods 86. Each of these rods is of a substantially J configuration. The end of the long leg of each rod may be engaged in one of the brackets 87 while the end of the short leg is engaged in the corresponding bracket 84. The web portion of each rod thus defines a horizontal arm.

Finally, a transverse foot plate 88 is secured to the end of the foot portion of the spring frame. The foot plate serves as a foot rest when the spring frame is converted to a chair configuration. In addition, provision is made to selectively retain the slotted bars 89 conventionally carried by the foot portion of the spring frame to facilitate adjustment thereof to positions of varied inclination in unobstructing positions when the frame is converted to a chair coniiguration. The bars 89 are commonly pivotally secured to the spring frame foot portion with their free ends connected by a transversely extending rod 90. A resilient clamp bracket 91 is accordingly preferably secured to the underside of the spring frame foot portion in a position to retentively engage the rod when the bars are pivoted upwardly. The bars may thus be retained in an unobstructing position by means of the bracket 91 as shown in FIGURE 2.

Considering now the operation of the hospital bed of the present invention it is to be noted that with the casters 80 engaging the stop channels 73, 74 and the stop plates 76, 77 in channel closing position, the spring frame may be adjusted to a variety of bed congurations in the conventional manner by operation of the adjusting mechanisrn 27. To convert the bed to a chair coniiguration the head section of the spring frame is raised to inclined position as shown in full line in FIGURE 2 by rotating the hand crank 36. The slotted bars 78, 79 are pivoted to positions wherein one of their notches 82 engages the pins 83, the head section being thereby supported in inv clined position. The head section adjusting lever arm 28 is then lowered to inactive position as indicated in phantom line in FIGURE 2 by contrarotation of the hand crank 36. The spring frame is next moved upon carriage 41 longitudinally of the bed frame toward the head of the bed to a position wherein the casters clear the stop channels 73, 74. The slotted bars 89 are locked in unobstructing position by means of the clamp 91. The spring frame may now be rotated upon the carriage to either side of the bed or moved transversely if desired. When the spring frame is rotated 90 in either direction the foot section pivots downwardly exteriorly adjacent the bed frame to thus serve as leg supporting structure of the chair, the foot plate 8S now serving as a foot rest. To complete the conversion to chair configuration the arm rest bars 86 are inserted in the brackets 84, 87 although such bars could as well have been inserted prior to rotation of the spring frame. With the spring frame thus in a chair conguration facing away from either side of the bed frame the chair may be positioned at any desired longitudinal position thereof. More specifically, the spring frame in chair configuration may be readily moved upon the carriage 41 longitudinally of the bed frame to any desired position.

As regards the manner of converting the bed to a chair coniiguration facing away from the foot of the bed frame, head section 19 is rst inclined and locked as previously described. The arm rest bars 86 are inserted in the brackets 84, 87. The stop plates 76, 77 are rotated to their unobstructing positions and the spring frame is moved upon the carriage longitudinally towards the foot of the bed. When the casters 80 clear the ends of the stop channels 73, 74, the stop plates are rotated to channel closing position and longitudinal movement of the spring frame is continued towards the foot of the bed. The foot section of the spring frame is thus free to pivot downwardly exteriorly adjacent the foot portion of the bed frame as shown in FIGURE 7 to thereby assume a chair configuration. The chair thus provided at the foot of the bed may be rotated or moved transversely to either side of the bed frame by virtue of the various movements facilitated by the manner in which the spring frame is mounted on the carriage.

To convert the spring frame from chair configuration back to bed conliguration, it will be appreciated that the previously described operations are merely performed in reverse.

What is claimed is:

l. A hospital bed comprising a bed frame including head and foot portions connected by parallel side rails, a carriage mounted for translation longitudinally along said side rails, a Gatch spring frame including foldable head, central, and foot sections mounted for rotation and transverse translation upon said carriage, Gatch frame adjusting means carried by said bed frame including pivoted lever arms for selectively bearing upon said head and central sections to pivot said sections relative to each other, means carried by said spring frame for selectively locking said head section in inclined position relative to its immediately adjacent section, and limit means carried by said bed frame for preventing rotation and transverse translation of said spring frame relative to said carriage when the end of said foot section is disposed between the `foot portion of said bed frame and a predetermined position displaced longitudinally therefrom towards the head portion.

2. A hospital bed according to claim 1, further dened by said foot section having depending casters at its end and said limit means comprising a pair of inverted channels respectively secured to said rails adjacent said foot portion and engaged by said casters.

3. A hospital bed comprising a bed frame including head and foot portions connected by parallel side rails, a transverse support member mounted upon said rails for rollable longitudinal translation therealong, a bearing secured centrally to said support member and including an upper plate rotatable about a vertical axis, a Gatch spring frame including central longitudinal members interconnected by a transverse support member and head and central spring sections pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said longitudinal members with a foot spring section pivotally connected to the opposite end of said central section, means mounting said transverse support member of said spring frame upon the upper plate of said bearing for translation transversely thereof, Gatch frame adjusting means carried by said bed frame including pivoted lever arms respectively engageable with said head and central sections for selectively pivoting them with respect to said longitudinal members, and means carried by said longitudinal members for selectively locking said head section in a position of inclination relative thereto.

4. A hospital bed according to claim 3, further defined by a pair of casters depending from the sides of said foot section adjacent its end, and a pair of inverted channels secured to said side rails adjacent said foot portion and engaged by said casters.

5. A hospital bed comprising a bed frame including head and foot portions connected by parallel side rails with the upper surface of the foot portion ilush with the upper surfaces of said rails, a transverse support member mounted upon said rails for longitudinal translation therealong, a bearing secured centrally to said support member and including an upper plate rotatable about a vertical axis, a Gatch spring frame including central longitudinal members interconnected by a transverse support member and head and central spring sections pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said longitudinal members with a foot spring section pivotally connected to the opposite end of said central section, means mounting said transverse support member of said spring frame upon the upper plate of said bearing for translation transversely thereof, Gatch frame adjusting means carried by said bed frame including pivoted lever arms respectively engageable with said head and central sections for selec' tively pivoting them With respect to said longitudinal members, means carried by said longitudinal members for selectively locking said head section in positions of inclination relative thereto, a pair of casters depending from the sides of said foot section adjacent its end, a pair of inverted channels secured to said side rails adjacent said foot portion and engaged by said casters, and a pair of stop plates secured to said foot portion and selectively movable between positions in closing relation to the ends of said channels and positions in unobstructing relation thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 106,343 Eastes Aug. 16, 1870 793,168 Abrams June 27, 1905 1,581,994 Duncan Apr. 20, 1926 2,303,433 Caldwell et al. Dec. l, 1942 2,656,876 Larriclt Oct. 27, 1953 2,733,452 Tanney Feb. 7, 1956 2,796,614 Torre June 25, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 109,649 Sweden Feb. 1, 1944 799,685 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1958 

1. A HOSPITAL BED COMPRISING A BED FRAME INCLUDING HEAD AND FOOT PORTIONS CONNECTED BY PARALLEL SIDE RAILS, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOR TRANSLATION LONGITUDINALLY ALONG SAID SIDE RAILS, A GATCH SPRING FRAME INCLUDING FOLDABLE HEAD, CENTRAL, AND FOOT SECTIONS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION AND TRANSVERSE TRANSLATION UPON SAID CARRIAGE, GATCH FRAME ADJUSTING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BED FRAME INCLUDING PIVOTED LEVER ARMS FOR SELECTIVELY BEARING UPON SAID HEAD AND CENTRAL SECTIONS TO PIVOT SAID SECTIONS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SPRING FRAME FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING SAID HEAD SECTION IN INCLINED POSITION RELATIVE TO ITS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SECTION, AND LIMIT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BED FRAME FOR PREVENTING ROTATION AND TRANSVERSE TRANSLATION OF SAID SPRING FRAME RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIAGE WHEN THE END OF SAID FOOT SECTION IS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE FOOT PORTION OF SAID BED FRAME AND A PREDETERMINED POSITION DISPLACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREFROM TOWARDS THE HEAD PORTION. 